Black and White Paper Bead Earrings

How to Make Stunning Paper Bead Tube Earrings

Black and White Paper Bead Tube Earrings. Photo: Rita Shehan

These paper bead earrings are beautiful! They are quite stylish, and you would never guess that they are made out of paper. Make some for yourself and your friends as gifts. While you are at it, make some necklaces and bracelets to match. The possibilities are endless!

Supplies Needed:

8.5 x 11 sheet of plain white copy paper

permanent ink pens or markers (*Optional)

ruler

Craft Knife

glue stick

PC-Petrifier Wood Hardener

Water Based Glossy Polyurethane (*Optional)

Black Permanent Ink Marker

Toothpicks

F...MOREloral Wire

Leftover Newspapers, cardboard or plastic to use as a drop cloth

2 Inch eye pins

4mm Silver beads

Fish hook ear wires

Round needle nose pliers

Wire Cutters

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02 of 07

How to Make Stunning Paper Bead Earrings Step 1

Paper Bead Free Printables. Photo: Rita Shehan

You can choose to make your own designs for your paper bead earrings or you can download a PDF template of several black and white paper bead earring prints designed by me.

If you plan to use your own designs :

Draw a box 1" x 10 3/4 inch on a piece of paper.

Draw your design with permanent ink markers or pens on the left end approximately two inches long. You don't need more than that because the design will not be visible when the paper bead tube is rolled.

Print the templates on a sheet of ordinary copy paper with a laser printer.

Using a ruler and craft knife, cut two paper earring rectangles of the earring design of choice.

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03 of 07

How to Make Stunning Paper Bead Earrings Step 2

How to Create a Paper Bead. Photo: Rita Shehan

Roll the paper bead rectangle around a toothpick to form a paper bead tube.

Use a glue stick to secure the end of the paper rectangle to the end of the paper bead tube.

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04 of 07

How to Make Stunning Paper Bead Earrings Step 3

Paper Bead Tube. Photo: Rita Shehan

Paint both ends of the paper bead tubes black using the permanent ink marker.

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05 of 07

How to Make Stunning Paper Bead Earrings Step 4

How to Stiffen a Paper Bead. Photo: Rita Shehan

The next step is crucial. I wish that I invented it but must give credit where credit is due. This paper bead method was discovered by Lisa (Beyondbracelets YouTube Channel).Lisa makes paper bead jewelry for a living and has spent a lot of time researching products. She has found PC-Petrifier wood hardener to be the best product for paper bead work. It hardens the paper bead plus adds a glossy shine. I have tried the product and love it.

Lisa recommends stringing the beads with fishing line, before dipping them in the product. I used floral wire and found that it also works well. It is up to you to decide which method works best for you.

After dipping the beads in the wood hardener 5 times, hang the beads and let them dry. It doesn't take long. They should be dry to the touch after about an hour. The beads need about 24 hours to cure.

The beads are glossy just from the PC-Petrifier, but to add extra protection it is recommended that you dip the beads in water proof polyurethane and let dry.

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06 of 07

How to Make Stunning Paper Bead Earrings Step 5

How to Assemble a Paper Bead TubeEarring. Photo: Rita Shehan

Assemble the earring using the above photo as a guide:

Add a silver bead to the 2 inch eye pin.

Place a paper bead on top of the silver bead.

Place another silver bead onto the eye pin over the paper bead tube.

Cut the eye pin with a wire cutter so that approximately 1/4 inch wire is showing on the top.

Using the round needle nose pliers, form the top wire end into a loop.

Attach a fishhook ear wire to the loop.

That is it! Your earring is finished and ready to wear.!

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07 of 07

Download Free Paper Bead Template Designed by Rita Shehan

Paper Bead Tube Earring Craft. Photo: Rita Shehan

I have offered seven different earring design templates for download. The above photo depicts three of the designs.